a confused jumble or medley of things

Old Firm book

This is just a quick post to let you know that Temple of Dreams: The Changing Face of Ibrox has sold out and there are now plans to reprint it in paperback.

I am currently writing another book which is due out in October and celebrates 20 of Rangers’ most memorable Old Firm matches, from the 1890s to the present day.

One of the most popular elements of the last book was the contributions from supporters, and I would like to repeat that approach in the new one.

If anyone is interested in writing a few words to be included I’d be delighted. The contribution could be any length between 100 and 400 words, but would obviously have to relate in some way to one of the games being featured.

Aug ’08 -Celtic 2 Rangers 4 – Premier League: Rangers thrash Celtic with two goals from former Celtic striker Kenny Miller. It was the first of two crucial Old Firm victories en route to Rangers’ first title in four years.

Feb 20th ’05 – Celtic 0 Rangers 2 – Premier League: Vignal and Novo secured Rangers’ first win at Celtic Park for five years on way to winning the league

May 2nd ’99 – Celtic 0 Rangers 3 – Premier League: A Neil McCann double helped Rangers win the league at Celtic Park for the first time. But that only told part of the story as three players were sent off, several pitch invasions took place, and referee Hugh Dallas was hit with coins by irate Celtic fans.

Mar 16th ’97 – Celtic 0 Rangers 1 – Premier League: Mark Hateley returned as Rangers took a massive step towards securing nine in a row with a scrambled winner from Brian Laudrup. Hateley was sent off and Rangers players sparked controversy by celebrating a win with a Celtic-style ‘huddle’.

Nov 4th ’96- Celtic 0 Rangers 1 – Premier League: Brian Laudrup got Rangers got off to a dream start in this enthralling match when he pounced on a mistake by a Celtic defender to open the scoring in the seventh minute. Celtic piled on the pressure but a combination of resolute defending and incredible goalkeeping by Andy Goram kept them at bay while Rangers counter-attacks inspired by Laudrup meant they were always a danger. Sky TV viewers were treated to a string of great chances, two penalty saves, one of the worst misses of all time by Peter Van Vossen and even a pitch invasion from a fox!

Aug 27th ’88 – Rangers 5 Celtic 1 – Premier League: A Ray Wilkins wonder goal helped Rangers hammer Celtic at Ibrox, in one of the most one-sided Old Firm games of all time. Many Rangers fans were disappointed that the team took their foot off the gas long before the end, and still see it as a missed opportunity to rack up a record scoreline. The win was followed by a 4-1 victory later in the season – the first of 9 in a row

Oct 17th ’87 – Rangers 2 Celtic 2 – Premier League: Terry Butcher, Graham Roberts, Chris Woods and Frank McAvennie controversially ended up in court after an on field fracas. The game was just as dramatic, with Richard Gough scoring a last minute equaliser to secure a draw.

Oct 26th ’86 – Rangers 2 Celtic 1 – League Cup Final: Graeme Souness swept into Ibrox promising a revolution and goals by Durrant and Cooper brought him his first trophy as manager.

Mar 25th ’84 – Rangers 3 Celtic 2 – League Cup Final: Rangers were in the doldrums at the time but returning manager Jock Wallace inspired a famous League Cup final win over Celtic. Ally McCoist’s hat-trick is the last to have been scored in an Old Firm derby.

Oct 24th ’70 – Celtic 0 Rangers 1 – League Cup Final: A 16-year-old Derek Johnstone scored the winning goal as Rangers secured their first piece of silverware for almost five years.

Apr 27th ’66 – Rangers 1 Celtic 0 – Scottish Cup Final replay: Rangers were considered serious underdogs in this match against Jock Stein’s all-conquering Celtic, but having held their rivals to a draw in the first match, Kai Johansen’s spectacular shot won the replay for Rangers against the odds

May 15th ’63 – Rangers 3 Celtic 0 – Scottish Cup Final replay: This game was one of Jim Baxter’s finest performances for the Light Blues, who swept Celtic aside at Hampden. Many fans consider this to be the greatest Rangers team of all time, and the cup final triumph as the pinnacle of their achievements.